Texas Tech men's basketball notebook

Published: Thursday, October 13, 2005

Big 12 coaches poll

What shouldn't come as a surprise, Texas was named on Wednesday as the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 Conference.

The Longhorns, who welcome back P.J. Tucker, Daniel Gibson, LaMarcus Aldridge and Brad Buckman, were picked by the coaches to finish first according to the votes tabulated for the coaches preseason poll.

Texas Tech was picked to finish fifth, though the Red Raiders were only four points behind Oklahoma State and nine points behind Kansas.

Oklahoma, which finished tied for first last season with Kansas for the regular-season title, was picked to finish second this year ahead of the Jayhawks and Cowboys.

In the eight years that the league has produced a preseason coaches poll, the team predicted to finish first in the preseason poll won the regular-season title four times. All four years the team that accomplished the feat was Kansas.

BIG 12 CONFERENCE PRESEASON

COACHES POLL

1. Texas (10) 120

2. Oklahoma (2) 112

3. Kansas 89

4. Oklahoma State 84

5. Texas Tech 80

6. Iowa State 70

7. Texas A&M 68

8. Missouri 48

9. Colorado 43

10. Nebraska 40

11. Kansas State 25

12. Baylor 13

Suljagic likely redshirt

Though the team hasn't made a formal decision, it appears sophomore forward Damir Suljagic will use this season as a redshirt season.

Suljagic tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a pick-up game in June, and he's been working on rehabilitating the injury since he had surgery a week later.

"His rehab's been going well, but we've pretty much already made up our minds that he's going to redshirt," Tech head coach designate Pat Knight said. "It's going to be up to Coach (Bob Knight), but Damir's not going to be ready until at least when the Big 12 (schedule) begins."

Tech practice begins

Texas Tech will hold its first full practice on Friday at 7 p.m. at United Spirit Arena.

The practice is open to the public, but PSL owners and season ticket holders will get special reserved seating.

Doors will open at 5:45 p.m. and Tech head coach Bob Knight will speak to the audience around 6:45 p.m.